Species Survival Plan Program

Working Cooperatively to Combat Extinction

One of our most powerful tools in combating extinction is the Species Survival Plan Program (SSP). This program, started in 1981 by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA),is a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species at North American zoos and aquariums. Each SSP carefully manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining captive population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. Currently, there are over 300 SSPs, which are grouped according to sustainability in North American Zoos. SSPs also engage in a variety of other cooperative conservation activities, such as research, public education, reintroduction, and field projects.Learn more about the SSP >